On the topic of newly reopened vintage diners we made a quick dodge into the Prospect Diner in Columbia PA last week and were pleased to find friendly service and incredibly affordable food, even though our visit was within minutes of their 2pm closing.
We weren't sure what we'd find inside because of the dark glass windows, but were somewhat pleasantly surprised to see the diner must've gone through a recent remodel with new red booths and counter. Though it was a bit too "Happy Dazed" for my austere decorating tastes, I loved the fact that it was clean and cheery on a freezing afternoon!
I have to hand it to our waitress, who could've easily rolled her eyes at us as we opened the door within 15 min of their closing. Instead she smiled, sat us at a booth and gave us the lunch menu which had an incredible steal of some specials on it. I had my standard BLT, Retro Roadhusband had a tuna sandwich, both came with fries and a drink and I swear our bill was less than $10 for the entire meal! This diner is worth the easy hop off of Route 30 (Prospect Road exit= Prospect Diner, easy to remember!) and cheaper than fast food!
As we left the diner we noticed that the railing on the outside was a handy thing, keeping diner patrons safely away from the traffic and guided towards the large parking area to the side.
As the cold wind whipped over the farm fields across the street we scurried to the Retro Roadmobile for warmth, happy with the knowledge that we could add yet another vintage diner to the Retro Roadmap!
Stopped here for breakfast yesterday (Sunday) for the first time. The food was great and prices reasonable. The joint was packed and the tiny gravel parking lot overflowing. Luckily I found a small space to squeeze my motorcycle into.
Good to know! I love how it’s right off the highway- all they need is a giant neon sign on their roof. But then they’d need a bigger parking lot – but I guess there are worse “problems” to have 🙂
My “Diners of Pennsylvania” book has an old pic of the Prospect with a large neon sign on the roof. I’ve also found photos of it with a neon sign when it was called “Keri’s Prospect Diner”. Wish it had one now.
Doug Just Doug
October 22, 2012 at 10:30 amStopped here for breakfast yesterday (Sunday) for the first time. The food was great and prices reasonable. The joint was packed and the tiny gravel parking lot overflowing. Luckily I found a small space to squeeze my motorcycle into.
Mod Betty
October 22, 2012 at 10:36 amGood to know! I love how it’s right off the highway- all they need is a giant neon sign on their roof. But then they’d need a bigger parking lot – but I guess there are worse “problems” to have 🙂
Doug Just Doug
October 23, 2012 at 10:48 amMy “Diners of Pennsylvania” book has an old pic of the Prospect with a large neon sign on the roof. I’ve also found photos of it with a neon sign when it was called “Keri’s Prospect Diner”. Wish it had one now.
Mod Betty
October 23, 2012 at 10:53 am“bring back the sign! bring back the sign!” 🙂